“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife. The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, and they go down into the inmost body. Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly…A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, and a flattering mouth works ruin” (Proverbs 26:20-26, 28).
Hypocrites
A frequent weapon of choice for a hypocrite in flattery (v. 23). But that is not the only avenue of lying a hypocrite will use. Insincerity and deceit saturate his words and behavior.
Hypocrisy is a premeditated course of action. It is not simply being inconsistent on occasion. It is the deliberate decision to disguise, deceive, and cover up. It is not an occasional foible; it is a continuous lifestyle.
A person good at play-acting is a toxic person you need to avoid. Spiritually speaking, they are like beautiful, whitewashed tombs which are full of foul, unclean, decaying corpses (Mat. 23:28).
Beware and avoid hypocrites.
